Consumer Real Estate News and Advice

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Nationwide Housing Affordability Reaches New Record High	Business Outlook	5/24/2012 3:11 PM
Nationwide housing affordability hit a new record high for a second consecutive quarter in the first three months of this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). Yet tight lending conditions continue to pose a major obstacle to many prospective home buyers. The latest HOI data reveal that [...]
News in Housing: Inventories up in April	Business Outlook	5/24/2012 3:09 PM
The housing inventory rose slightly in April, which is unusual in the middle of the spring sales season. The uptick may be the result of rising seller confidence and it should ease concerns that the super tight inventory levels of the last six months have dampened sales by limiting buyer options. Yesterday the National Association [...]
Recovery News: U.S. Home Sales Up 3.4% in April	Business Outlook	5/23/2012 2:59 PM
Existing-home sales rose in April and remain above a year ago, while home prices continued to rise, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The improvements in sales and prices were broad based across all regions. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.4 percent to [...]
Future of U.S. Housing Markets Depends Largely on Echo Boomers	Business Outlook	5/22/2012 2:42 PM
The next two decades in housing markets depends largely on the Echo Boomers. That’s according to panelists at the “Shifting Demographics and Housing Choice: A Whole New World?” session held recently during the REALTORS® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. There are approximately 62 million echo boomers in the U.S. Also called “millennials,” echo [...]
U.S. Homeownership Aspirations Aren’t Dead: Owning a Home Remains Defining Element of American Dream	Business Outlook	5/21/2012 3:07 PM
As the country continues to emerge from the turbulent mortgage period, a Homebuyer Poll released by TD Bank reveals aspirations of homeownership are still very much alive in the U.S. The majority (84 percent) of today’s younger renting generation (ages 18-34) responded that they intend to buy a home. Overall, more than half of consumers [...]
Nashville Market Shining within Vibrant Southeast	Consumer News and Advice	5/21/2012 2:59 PM
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT—The Southeast region of the U.S. is continuously thriving as a great place for Real Estate transactions and business. With many of this year’s top markets to watch residing in the Southeast, buyers are eager to seize new opportunities within markets with great value and exceptional quality of life. Nashville, Tenn. in particular is [...]
Help! Google Doesn’t Think I’m Relevant! Here’s What You Can Do	Best Practices	5/20/2012 12:07 PM
Google continues to dominate search engine market share and establish itself as one of today’s most recognizable brands, because of one simple word – relevance. This term in its most simplistic form is what defines every aspect of Google’s evolution and is the largest determinant in their future success. But how Google measures relevance is [...]
Diving into Property Management: Items to Consider before You Invest	Best Practices	5/20/2012 12:04 PM
The potentially perfect moment has arrived to invest in rentals. Across the country rental demand is strong in many cities, and the costs associated with buying multi-family properties are lower than in recent memory. Generally speaking, the goal of investing in rental properties is making money. Toward that end, and especially if you’re new to [...]
’30 Under 30′ REALTORS® Represent Future of Real Estate Profession	Business Outlook	5/18/2012 11:02 PM
Today’s real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year’s REALTOR® Magazine “30 Under 30″ honorees haven’t let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways to success. “I am always astonished to see the “30 Under 30″ professionals every year and [...]
Future of Housing Finance Will Be Top Issue for Next President	Business Outlook	5/17/2012 2:12 PM
The future of housing finance in the U.S. will be a key issue facing the winner of the upcoming presidential election. That’s what a panel of industry experts told several thousand Realtors® gathered at a symposium, Housing Policy in 2013: Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions, during the REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo this week. [...]
Housing Affordability Indices Reach Records in First Quarter	Business Outlook	5/16/2012 2:05 PM
Housing affordability conditions for all buyers reached a milestone in the first quarter, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR’s composite quarterly Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high of 205.9 in first quarter, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the [...]
Builder Confidence Rises Five Points in May	Business Outlook	5/15/2012 2:26 PM
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes gained five points in May from a downwardly revised reading in the previous month to reach a level of 29 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. This is the index’s strongest reading since May of 2007. “Builders [...]
Opportunity Knocks with Property Management	Best Practices	5/14/2012 2:59 PM
Many agents across the country are experiencing strong and stable sales. For others, the market is more uncertain. And if the recent economic situation of the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s reinforced that old adage: You shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one basket. One solution that agents all across [...]
Six Keys to Selling Your Home in Today’s Market	Consumer News and Advice	5/13/2012 12:06 PM
According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 4.25 million homes sold in 2011. That’s a lot of real estate and such numbers raise the question: How are sellers doing it? “Because individual homes are unique, there isn’t one single strategy that works equally well for every property,” says Wendy Forsythe, the executive vice [...]
Eye on the Economy: Waiting for Stronger Growth	Business Development	5/11/2012 11:03 PM
The new year opened with hope that the 3 percent growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reported for the end of 2011 would lead to stronger job growth and improving housing markets. While January and February offered positive economic news, March and April reporting suggested that unusually warm weather may have accelerated some economic [...]
70 Percent of Affluent Homeowners Looking to DIY Projects to Save Money	Consumer News and Advice	5/10/2012 2:13 PM
According to the Summer 2012 Merrill Edge Report, many mass affluent Americans are willing to make short-term sacrifices in order to get their finances in better shape. The report, released on April 26 by Bank of America, explores the financial concerns and priorities of mass affluent consumers, Americans with $50,000-$250,000 in investable assets. This group, [...]
5 Basic Steps to Make a House Your Home	Consumer News and Advice	5/10/2012 2:08 PM
Are you looking to buy your home for the first time? Congratulations! While this is an exciting time, knowing what you are in for can ease the process exponentially. Below are a few steps you can take to find your dream house, and make it into your new home. Learn About Homeownership Owning a home [...]
79 Percent of Refinancing Homeowners Maintain or Reduce Mortgage Debt in First Quarter	Consumer News and Advice	5/9/2012 3:10 PM
Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) released the results of its first quarter refinance analysis showing homeowners who refinance continue to strengthen their fiscal house. In the first quarter of 2012, 79 percent of homeowners who refinanced their first-lien home mortgage either maintained about the same loan amount or lowered their principal balance by paying-in additional money [...]
Are Sellers Waking Up?	Business Outlook	5/9/2012 3:02 PM
It’s no secret that this is a good time to buy, but more and more sellers are beginning to agree. The uptick in seller confidence recorded by two recent surveys is uplifting, but concern is growing that seller withdrawal from the market is creating record low inventories that are limiting buyer choice, and curtailing sales [...]
Kitchens and Bathrooms Remain Top Remodeling Jobs	Consumer News and Advice	5/9/2012 3:01 PM
A new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows common remodeling projects have increased, compared to a similar survey from 2010. The survey, released in conjunction with National Home Remodeling Month, describes the changes the remodeling market has undergone in recent years. Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom projects remain the [...]

San Diego Union Tribune Smart Living

utsandiego.com stories: Smart Living
Circle of life		11/26/2010 6:10 PM
The traditional holiday door decoration of pine boughs and red ribbon is getting some competition from the elegant, succulent wreath these days.
Making it work at home		11/19/2010 5:11 PM
It takes mental discipline, organizational skill and a lot more to pull off successful home-based employment
Pretty, practical landscapes are good enough to eat		11/12/2010 7:31 PM
Don’t segregate your edible plants, shrubs and fruit trees; they can be creative and appealing additions to the garden
Water is best treatment for insects on citrus trees		11/12/2010 7:13 PM
Forceful spray should wash away those that feed on and damage the foliage
Plant daffodils now for colorful reward come spring		11/5/2010 6:08 PM
Unlike tulips, many varieties will naturalize and return each year
Spooky night can haunt the pets		10/29/2010 2:18 PM
What’s fun for kids can frazzle nerves of four-legged set
Voracious varmints will beat you to the munch		10/29/2010 2:14 PM
Voracious varmints can turn a bounteous garden into a harvest horror story
How do you plant bulbs for spring blooms?		10/22/2010 8:27 PM
Plants will return each year and multiply, as they naturalize in San Diego’s mild climate
Rare chance to tour home of radio's ‘Betty crocker’		10/16/2010 1:01 AM
A Valley Center landmark known as the “Betty Crocker Estate” will be open to the public for tours on Oct. 24.
Freshening up the cook space		10/15/2010 7:52 PM
Fall kitchen tour gives a glimpse of nine stylish makeovers.
The organic way		10/8/2010 3:19 PM
Be Wise Ranch, the only organic farm in the San Pasqual Agricultural Preserve and one of the oldest organic farms in San Diego County, has found success through tenacity and innovation. And it may be where your organically grown tomatoes come from.
San Diegans get preview of fashion designer's new collection		10/5/2010 4:39 PM
One of fashion's hottest designers will preview his new collection on Oct. 21 at Nordstrom. Jason Wu, best known as the designer of Michelle Obama's one-shouldered inaugural gown, will debut his spring line with the emphasis on mixing old world and new elements.
Planting ranunculuses now will provide sea of color in spring		10/1/2010 1:03 PM
Flowers are easy to grow, in the ground or containers
What is defining the trend to classic fall home decor		9/25/2010 11:38 AM
English poet Percy Shelley wrote, “There is a harmony in autumn, a luster to its sky.” This fall, that’s especially true in home décor. Rich, interesting hues, textiles and materials work in concert to welcome the season.
Exotic bug is threat to cabbage-family crops		9/25/2010 1:01 AM
Large populations of an exotic insect pest, the Bagrada bug, also known as painted bug or harlequin bug, appeared in many inland gardens this summer. The bug is native to Africa, and it was first found in California in June 2008 in Los Angeles County. It spread rapidly and is now widely distributed throughout much of Southern California.
Art schools, Internet good resources for affordable art		9/25/2010 1:01 AM
Naked walls and bare tabletops can be intimidating to amateur decorators — that is, to most of us. But there’s bona fide artwork out there for every budget.
What should I do once the lawn is gone?		9/10/2010 6:33 PM
Philip Diamond and his partner Kevin Tilden were fed up with the constant maintenance of their postage-stamp front lawn. Cathy and George Roswell covered their lawn with mulch in an effort to cut soaring water bills. Nan Sterman endured a lawn in her backyard only while her children were growing up.
Consumer adviser: To a long, fruitful shelf life!		9/10/2010 6:24 PM
No matter if you’re a wine connoisseur or simply an occasional quaffer, it’s important to have your favorite bottled beverages stored in a near ideal environment for a long and fruitful future.
Tell us about it		9/10/2010 6:22 PM
Last week, we asked whether you think the alcohol ban at beaches should be extended to all city parks, in view of drinking and behavior problems reported by neighbors of Pacific Beach’s Kate Sessions Memorial Park.
Now's the time to plan broccoli and cauliflower		9/4/2010 1:01 AM
Broccoli and cauliflower should be staples in an autumn vegetable garden.

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